Sudan protesters take the train to support demonstrators

Sudanese demonstrators ride atop a train from Atbara, birthplace of an uprising that toppled former President Omar al-Bashir, as they approach military headquarters in Khartoum, Sudan, April 23, 2019.

Piled onto the roof of a train or packed inside, hundreds of protesters from the birthplace of the uprising that toppled Sudan’s former President Omar al-Bashir rolled into Khartoum on Tuesday to support activists demanding that the military relinquish power to civilians.

About 4,000 protesters, many of them waving Sudan’s green, red, black and white flag, greeted them at Khartoum’s main station as the train arrived from Atbara.

It has continued as protesters push for a swift handover to civilian rule and the number of demonstrators has swelled in recent days.

Two witnesses said authorities attempted to disperse the sit-in about midday. They used loaders to try to take down the roadblocks and barriers put up by protesters, but were chased away by demonstrators, witnesses said.

The Sudanese Professionals’ Association (SPA), the main protest organizer, also said security forces had attempted to disperse the sit-in. The group encouraged protesters to put up more barriers and keep protesting.

“We call on everyone to go to the sit-in in anticipation of any other attempt and to welcome the Atbara revolutionaries who are on their way to the sit-in,” the SPA said.